Nav’ means Nine and ‘Ratri’ means Nights, hence the name of the Nine-Night festival. Navratri comes twice a year (there are also two secret navaratri – gupta navratri), in April and october. Chaitra Navratri, also popular as Chait Navratras, is the nine-day festival observed in Chaitra month. This year Chaitra Navratri 2016 or Vasant Navratri 2016 is from April 8th to April 16th as per Hindu calendar. Rama Navami is on 16th April 2016 (Saturday).

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the first month of Hindu lunar calendar and Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, falls on the ninth day during Navratri.

Jai Maa Durga

Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri 2016 Dates

• 8th April 2016, Friday (Day 1) – Pratipada, Chandra Darshan, Kalash Sthapana, Maa Sailputri Pooja
• 9th April 2016, Saturday (Day 2 & 3) – Dwitiya, Sindhara Dooj, Maa Brahmacharini Pooja  / Tritiya, Gauri Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Maa Chandraghanta Pooja
• 10th April 2016, Sunday (Day 4) – Chaturthi, Varad Vinayaka Chauth, Maa Kushmanda Pooja
• 11th April 2016, Monday (Day 5) – Panchami, Naag Puja, Lakshmi Panchami, Maa Skandamata Pooja
• 12th April 2016, Tuesday (Day 6) – Shashthi, Skanda Sashti, Yamuna Chhath, Maa Katyayani Pooja
• 13th April 2016, Wednesday (Day 7) – Saptami, Maha Saptami, Maa Kalaratri Pooja
• 14th April 2016, Thursday (Day 8) – Ashtami, Durga Ashtami, Annapurna Ashtami, Sandhi Pooja, Maa MahaGuari Pooja
• 15th April 2016, Friday (Day 9) – Navami, Rama Navami, Maa Siddhidatri Pooja
• 16th April 2016, Saturday (Day 10) –Dashami, Navratri Parana

According to Hinduism, on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started the Creation. This is the Hindu New Year day as per the calendars of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Chaitra Navratri is very popular festive season in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, etc. This day is also known as the First Day or New Year Day of Hindu Calender (Vikrami Samvat), It is the first day of New Year 2073 on 8th April.

This month marks the beginning of Vasant rithu or spring season. Gangaur or Chaitra Gauri Puja, Chaiti Chand Puja, Sheetalashtami, Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, Vasant Navratri, Sri Rama Navratras, Ashokashtami, Sri Ram Navami are major celebrated festivals celebrated in this month.